Snap-on container cap lock



1962 s. E. EDELSTONE ET AL 3,049,263

SNAP-ON CONTAINER CAP LOCK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 6, 1959 Aug. 14, 1962 s. E. EDELSTONE ET AL 3,049,263

SNAP-0N CONTAINER CAP LOCK Filed Nov. 6, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 f 271 517 furs United States Patent Gfifice BfidldB Patented Aug. 14, 1962 3,049,263 SNAP-N CONTAINER CAP LOCK Sigmund E. Edeistone, Chicago, and Manley K. Hardison,

Glenview, 111., assignors, by mesne assignments, to

Spra-Lok Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 6, 1959, Ser. No. 851,332 11 Claims. (Cl. 22055) This invention relates to locks for preventing unauthorized access to containers and more specifically relates to locks for the caps of aerosol cans.

While the invention will be hereinafter specifically described as embodied in retainer locks or seals for friction grip or snap-on caps for spray dispensing aerosol cans, it will be understood that the principles of this invention are generally applicable to many other uses such as, for example, safety devices for retaining lids or covers on containers in general, and disposable locks to prevent unauthorized tampering with goods contained in a closed package. Therefore this invention is not limited to the hereinafter specifically described usage.

The merchandising of spray dispensing aerosol containers such as spray paints, involves an unfortunate tendency on the part of a shopper to remove the cap from the aerosol can and depress the valve whereupon the high pressure contents of the can will be sprayed in the vicinity to mess up shelves and other adjacent mechandise.

This invention now provides a locking arrangement which will effectively prevent the shopper from removing the cap to reach the valve. The locks of this invention are disposable, simple, inex ensive and easily released by the purchaser at the time of intended use and without requiring special tools.

Further, the locks of this invention do not require modification of existing aerosol can and cap structures. These structures include a can with a domed end head crimped on the end of the cylindrical can body and having an annular well from which rises a fragmental spherical dome extending to a fiat circular apex above the cylindrical can body. This apex receives a spray valve carrying cup which is crimped to a collar on the dome. Three different types of snap-on caps are available for this type of aerosol spray dispenser can.

One type of cap is a small diameter cylindrical cup snapped or frictionally gripped onto the skirt of the valve cup and having an outturned head to present a smooth internally beveled mouth for the cap.

A second type of cap includes a small cap snapped on the skirt of the valve cap as described but secured in a surrounding over cap that extends into the well of the can end head. The tops of the inner and outer caps are secured together. The over cap has an internally rolled or beaded end to provide an externally beveled skirt mouth fitting snugly in the well of the end head to be surrounded by the rolled or crimped periphery of the end head and presenting a pleasing appearance for the assembly.

The third available cap is a similar to the just described over cap and no inner cap is provided. The large diameter over cap snaps into the well of the end head and the well may have several idented portions to provide a snap retainer for the large diameter cap.

All of the above described caps are easily removed from the can and when removed will expose the operating head or button for the spray valve. In many instances the shopper cannot resist depressing the valve to dispense the contents of the can, much to the chagrin of the shop keeper.

In accordance with this invention there is now provided a spit locking collar or ring which is easily snapped around the valve cup of the can. The collar or ring has a first flange that is retained by the available shoulder under the skirt of the valve cup and a second flange to retain the external flange or head of the small cap seated on the valve cup. The split end of the collar or ring can be secured together in any suitable manner to prevent unauthorized spreading of the ring for removal of the cap. If the ring is made of heat scalable plastic, the ends can be easily heat sealed,

In those cap arrangements including an inner cap and an over cap, the skirt or side wall of the over cap is provided with an opening permitting insertion of a nail, a pencil, or the like readily available prod to give access to the split ends of the rin s for spreading the ring off of the inner cap or valve cup.

To secure the large over cap type of cover to the can, the split ring or collar carries 2. depending split rim retained on the inturned bead or rolled end of the cap as by means of indented portions or tongues pressed in the side wall of the cap. The opening or window in the side wall of the cap is also provided to give access to the collar for spreading the same off of the valve cup.

The snap ring locks of this invention can be discarded by the purchaser and unauthorized removal prior to purchase is easily accomplished by sealing the exposed split ends of the ring or by sealing the window in the over cap or large diameter cap giving access to the split ends of the ring.

It is then an object of this invention to provide inexpensive locks for container covers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a split ring lock for the caps of cans.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a split ring lock for snap-on caps of cans.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a split ring lock for snap-on covers of aerosol cans to prevent unauthorized removal of the collar.

A still further object of the invention is to provide disposable split ring locks for the snap-on covers of spray valve equipped aerosol cans which are detachably secured to the valve cup of the can and to the lid or cover for the can.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide a snap-on lock for snap-on covers of aerosol dispensing cans and to provide access windows in the covers for receiving a tool to spread the ring for releasing the cover.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plastic snap-on ring lock for snap-on covers of cans and to heat seal the split ends of the ring lock to prevent unauthorized removal of the cover.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description of the annexed sheets of drawings which, by way of preferred examples only illustrate several embodiments of the invention.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of an aerosol can closed by a small snap-on cover that is locked to the can by a split ring lock of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view along the line 11-11 of PEG. 1 and drawn to a larger scale;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the component parts of FIGS. 1 and 2 and illustrating the manner in which they are assembled;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the lock ring of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating the manner in which the lock ring of this invention is snapped onto the can and how the cap in turn is snapped into the lock ring;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of I a modified form of lock ring with the lug portion thereof shown in vertical cross section along the line VI-VI of FIG. 7;

FIGURE 7 is a plan of FIG. 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an aerosol dispensing can equipped with an over cap according to this invention;

FIGURE 9 is a cross sectional view along the line 1XIX of FIG. 8 and drawn on a larger scale;

FIGURE 10 is a transverse cross sectional view on the line XX of FIG. 8 and drawn on a larger scale;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary horizontal cross sectional view with the lock ring in elevation illustrating a modified arrangement for retaining the lock ring in non-rotatable relation in the over cap;

FZGURE P2 is a plan view of the lock ring of the type shown in FIG. 11 and illustrating the manner in which the ring is spread;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an aerosol can equipped with a large diameter cap and a lock ring according to this invention;

FiGURE 14 is a vertical cross sectional View along the line XIVXIV of FIG. 13 but drawn on a larger scale;

FIGURE 15 is an isometric view of the lock ring for the large diarneter cap of FIGS. 13 and '14;

FIGURE 16 is a horizontal cross sectional view along the line XVI-XVI of HG. 13; v

FIGURE 17 is a top plan view of a further modified lock ring similar to the lock ring of FIG. 15 but omitting the bottom ring portion; and

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary vertical cross section of a cap and can assembly lock with the lock ring of FIG. 17.

As shown on the drawings:

The assembly 115 of FIGS. 1 to 3 includes an aerosol spray dispensing can 11, a small snap-on cap 12 for the can and a lock ring 13 of this invention.

The can 11 has a cylindrical body 14 with a domed end head 115 crimped in the top end thereof to provide an outturned beaded rim 16 surrounding the top of the cylindrical body '14. Inside of the rim 16 the domed end head 15 is depressed to provide an annular well 17 surrounded by the rim 16. A fragmental spherical domed portion 18 rises from this well 17 to a smaller diameter opening at a level above the top of the body 14. This opening is closed by a valve cup 19 carrying a spray valve with a projecting head 20 that is depressed to release the contents of the can through an orifice 21. The cup 19 has a rounded rim 22 crimped over the head 18 and providing a skirt with a bottom edge 23 that forms a shoulder around the top of the dome head.

The cap 1 2 is in the form of a thimble or cup with a cylindrical side wall 24 having an outturned rolled end or bead 25 providing a shoulder 26 opposed to the shoulder 23 of the valve cup.

The side wall 24 of the cap 12 fits snugly over the skirt 22 of the valve cup to be retained thereon with a friction grip.

It 'will thus be readily understood that the cap 12 is easily removed from the can 111 to expose the valve button 20 and tempt a shopper to depress the valve whereupon the pressurized contents of the can will be released through the orifice 21.

The lock .13 is a split ring or collar preferably composed of inexpensive plastic material such as polystyrene resin although it can be formed "from metal or any material having some degree of resiliency.

The split ring lock 13 has an annular main body 27 with outturned lugs 28 and 29' projecting radially therefrom on opposite sides of the split portion 31 thereof.

The main body 27 is sized to snugly embrace the skirt 22- of the valve cup 19 and is channel shaped in vertical cross section to provide a bottom flange 31 adapted to fit under and be retained by the shoulder 23 of the valve cup. The bottom flange 31 extends inwardly from a peripheral wall 3 2 and this peripheral wall 32 extends upwardly a suflicient distance to carry a second inturned flange 33 about level with the top of the valve cup when the flange 31 is locked under the shoulder 23. The flange 33, however, is not as deep as the flange 3'1 and has its internal periphery spaced outwardly from the valve cup a sufiicient distance to receive the wall 24 of the cap 12.

The bottom face of the flange 31 is upwardly tapered or beveled as shown at 34 to act as a guide for easy assembly of the lock around the skirt 22 of the valve cup. Likewise the top wall of the flange 33 is downwardly beveled as at '35 to guide the cap 12 therein.

The two flanges 31 and 33 cooperate to provide an internal groove 36 receiving both the skirt 22 of the valve cup and the outturned bead 25 of the cap 12.

As shown in FIG. 5 the upwardly beveled mouth 34 of the lock 13 will ride over the rounded skirt 22 of the valve cup to permit easy assembly of the ring on the valve cup and as soon as the flange 31 passes the skirt 22 it will snap under the shoulder 23 to be retained on the can. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 5, the downward bevel or taper 35 of the top flange 33 will receive the bottom of the cap 12 to cause a spreading of the look while the bead or outturned lip 25 snaps into the groove 36 whereupon the top flange will overlie the shoulder 26 provided by the bead to lock the cap to the can.

The inherent resiliency of the material forming the lock 13 will be sufiicient to accommodate snapping of the ring over the skirt 22 of the valve c-up as well as to permit snapping of the bead or rolled end 26 of the cap 12 into the groove 36. Thus no assembly problem is involved in providing the assembly 10.

To prevent unauthorized release of the lock .13 the outer end of the lugs 28 and 29 can be heat sealed thus forming a bond 37 which integrally unites the lugs and prevents opening of the gap 30 to remove the lock from either the can or the cap. The heat sealed bond 37 however can be broken at the time of intended use by the purchaser but the heat seal will prevent unauthorized tampering to obtain access to the valve button 20.

In a modified arrangement the lock ring 13a, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, is equipped with overlapped radially extending lugs 38 and 39 with interlocking mating faces. Thus as shown in FIG. 6 the bottom face of the top lug 3 8 slopes downwardly from one side edge of the lug along the surface 38a to a vertical wall 38b which extends upwardly to a second inclined surface 38c that extends to the bottom face of the lug. The lug 39 is conversely shaped with a mating top wall having the inclined portion 39a, the vertical portion 39b, and the second inclined portion 39c. A latch lock is thereby obtained with the vertical walls 38b and 39b in interlocked abutting engagement. The latch lock is easily separated by extending the area below surface 39a of the lug 39 radially outward beyond the lug 38 as shown at 40 in FIG. 7 and by extending the area above surface 38a beyond the lug 3 9 as shown at 41 in FIG. 7. Depressing of the extension 40 and raising of the extension 41 will unlatch the abutting walls 38b and 39b. Unauthorized unlatching can be prevented by heat sealing as in FIG. 4 or by a retaining bale or tie 42 around the lugs 38 and 39.

In the assembly 50 of FIGS. 8 to 10 parts identical with parts described in FIGS. 1 to 7 have been designated by the same reference numerals.

Assembly 50 includes an over cap 51 covering and surrounding the cap 12. This over cap 51 has a top wall 52 and a depending cylindrical side wall53 of a diameter for fitting snugly in the bottom of the well 17 of the aerosol can 11. The end of the side wall 53 is rolled inwardly to provide an internal lip 54 forming an inwardly extending radial shoulder 55 around the inner periphery of the side wall 53.

The top 52 of the outer cap 51 is integrally affixed to the inner cap 12 and carries this inner cap in spaced concentric relation inside of the side wall 53. The cap 12 serves the same function as described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 7 but in addition holds the over cap 51 with its lip 54 extended into the well 17 to give the attractive assembled appearance of FIG. 8.

The lock ring 13 functions in the same manner as described in FIGS. 1 to 7 for locking the inner cap 12 to the can 1.1. The split ring however does not have the extended lugs 28 and 29 thereof sealed or handed together as described in FIGS. 4 and 7.

The side wall 53 of the over cap 51 is provided with an opening 56 level with the locking ring 13. This opening as best shown in FIG. is formed by turning a pair of tangs 57 into the interior of the cap. These tangs straddle the lugs 28 and 29 but the space between the tangs is greater than the combined widths of the lugs 28 and 29 for accommodating spreading of the lugs to unseat the lock ring from the shoulder 23 of the valve cup. To facilitate spreading of the lugs, the outer ends of their mating faces are beveled outwardly as at 58 to form therebetween a V notch. When a rod-like instrument such as a nail, pencil, or the like, is inserted through the opening 56 and pressed against the V notch, the lugs 28 and 29 will be spread apart toward the tangs 57 for opening up the lock ring and thereby releasing it from the can. The cover may then be removed from the can.

To prevent unauthorized access to the V notch between the lugs, the opening 56 in the side wall of the over cap 51 can be covered with a puncturable seal 59 and adhesively united to the side wall 53 of the over cap.

As shown in FIG. 11 the lug 28 can be slotted as at 60 to receive the adjacent tang 57 of the over cap 51. In this manner the one end of the locking ring 13 is held against movement relative to the over cap while the lug 29 is free in the opening 56. Pressing of a pencil or nail against the inclined wall 58 of this lug will shift the lug toward the tang 57 that is in spaced relation behind the lug thereby spreading the lock ring and removing it from the valve cup.

In the arrangements of both FIGS. 10 and 11, the tangs 57 hold the lock ring 13 against rotation relative to the over cap and keep the lugs 28 and 29 in alignment with the opening 56.

Authorized removal of the cap from the can gives easy access to the lock ring 13 and in case it does not drop off of the inner cup 12 when spread during the opening operation, it can be later removed from the inner cup 12 and discarded.

FIG. 12 illustrates the manner in which the tang 57 of the over cap when seated in the slot 60 of the ing 28 will hold the lug against shifting while a rod-like implement such as a nail 61 pressed against the inclined wall 53 of the lug 29 will spread the two lugs apart to open up a wide gap in the lock ring thereby unseating the ring from the valve cup 19 and/or the inner cap 12.

In the aseembly 70 of FIGS. 13, 14 and 16 parts identical with parts described in FIGS. 1 to 12 have been marked with the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 13 the can 11 is closed with a large diameter cap 71 of the same construction as the over cap 51 but as shown in FIG. 14 no inner cap is provided. The cap 71 has a cylindrical side wall or skirt 72 with an inturned beaded or rolled edge 73 extended into the well 17 of the can and providing an internal abutment shoulder 74. A modified lock ring 75 locks the cap 71 to the valve cup v19 of the can. This lock ring 75 as best shown in FIG. includes a split ring or collar '76 with a side wall 77 closely surrounding the skirt 22 of the valve cup and an inturned bottom flange 78 adapted to be locked under the shoulder 23 of the valve cup in the same manner as described in connection with the lock ring 13. The ring 7 6 may or may not have a top flange corresponding with the flange 33 although such a flange would rigidify and strengthen the lock.

Lugs 79 and 30 project from the side Wall 77 of the ring 76 on each side of the split 81 of the ring.

A plurality of legs 82 depend at spaced intervals from the collar 76 and a split bottom ring 83 is carried by these legs in spaced relation beneath and radially outward from the ring 76. The ring 83 is sized to snugly fit inside of the side wall or skirt 71 of the cap and to rest against the internal shoulder 74 of the cap provided by the inturned bead or lip 73. A gap 84 between the split ends of the ring 83 accommodates contraction of the ring so that it can ride over the inturned lip 73 and then expand to be seated on the shoulder 7 4.

The lug 79 is slotted at 85 similarly to the slotted lug 28 described in connection with FIGS. 11 and 12. It is preferred to provide a leg 82 connecting the lug 79 with the ring 83 for further rigidifying the lug.

To retain the ring 83 against the shoulder 74 of the cap 71, tangs 86 are lanced from the side wall 72 of the cap to overlie the ring 83 thereby holding the lug against axial shifting in the cap 71.

The side wall 72 of the cap is also provided with a slotted opening 87. This opening 87 is formed by lancing a tang 88 from the side Wall and seating this tang in the slot of the lug 79. In this manner the lock 76 is held against rotation in the cap 71 and the lug 80 is aligned with the opening 87. The lug 80 preferably has an inclined end 89 engageable through the slot 87 with a pencil or nail to spread the ring 76 and unseat the flange 78 from the valve cup shoulder 23 thereby releasing the cap 71 from the can.

The opening 87 can be sealed with a puncturable seal 90 to prevent unauthorized access.

After the cap 71 has been removed from the can 11, the lock 75 can be removed from inside of the cap and discarded if desired. Alternately the lock may remain in position inside of the cap and continue to serve to repeatedly relock the cap on the can. For facilitating this relocking, the bottom wall of the flange 78 can be upwardly beveled like the wall $4 of the lock 13.

In the modification of FIGS. 17 and 18 the assembly includes the cap 101 of the same construction as the over cap 51 described hereinabove, but no inner cap is provided. The cap 101 as shown in FIG. 18 has an inturned curved lip providing a collar well 102 around the open bottom of the cap. The inturned lip seats in the well 17 of the can 11. The can 11 is the same as described hereinabove.

A lock ring 103, as shown in FIG. 17, preferably composed of plastic or the like resilient material, has a small diameter split ring portion 104 for fitting over the valve cup skirt 22. The ring portion 104 has a bottom flange 105 for abutting the skirt shoulder 23. The split end 106 of the ring portion 104 has lugs 107 and 108 such as described above, with the slot 109 in the lug 108 receiving a tang such as the tang 57 described above of a window in the cap 111. The split ring portion 104 has depending legs 110 with ends 111 seated in the well 102 of the cap lip.

In assembly the split ring portion 104 is snapped over the valve cup 19 of the can 11 and retained therein by the flange 105 engaging the shoulder 23. The cap is then snapped over the legs 110 and the ends of the legs will fit into the well 102 to retain the cap 101 on the can.

To facilitate removal of the ring portion 104 from the Valve cup 19, the flange 105 engaging the shoulder 23 can be eccentric or relieved adjacent the split end 106 as at 112. This relief or eccentricity can be used also in the bottom flanges of the above described split locking rings.

From the above description it will be understood that this invention provides a simple, inexpensive disposable lock for the caps of containers, and particularly for the snap-on caps or aerosol spray cans.

It will be understood that modifications and variations 7 may be eflected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In combination with a can having a domed end head providing an upstanding rim, a depressed annular well inside of said rim, and an upstanding skirt portion with 'an undercut abutment shoulder, a cover assembly for said can comprising an inner cap engaging said skirt, a surrounding over cap secured to said inner cap and having a side wall extending into said well, an opening in said side Wall of the *over cap aligned with said skirt, a locking ring surrounding the inner cap having an inturned flange engaging the abutment shoulder of the skirt and a second inturned flange engaging the outturned lip of the inner cap, said locking ring being split and having the split portion aligned with said opening in the side Wall, and means on said locking ring engageable through said opening in the side wall for spreading the ring to unseat the flanges thereof from either the inner cap or the shoulder of the end head.

2. A locked can and cover assembly comprising a can having a domed end head with an annular well inside of the rim thereof and a cylindrical skirt radially inward from and above said well, a cap assembly including an over cap with the side wall seated in said well and an inner cap with a side wall seated on said skirt, said skirt having a downwardly facing annular abutment shoulder, said inner cap having an upwardly facing abutment shoulder, a resilient split ring surrounding the inner cap having a first flange seated on the cap shoulder and a second flange seated on the skirt shoulder to retain the cap assembly on the can, a window in the side wall of the over cap, means on said over cap holding the split ends of the ring in alignment with said window, and

means accessible through said Window for spreading the ring to unseat one or both of the flanges from the shoulder engaged thereby.

' 3. An aerosol spray valve can having a domed head providing an annular well inside of the rim of the can and a small diameter cylindrical skirt at a level above said well, said skirt having an undercut abutment shoulder, a closure cap for said can including an outer cap with the side wall bottomed in said well and an inner cap with the side wall snugly embracing said skirt, said inner cap having an outturned lip providing a shoulder opposing the first mentioned shoulder, a split resilient plastic ring embracing the inner cap and having inturned flanges engaging said shoulders to lock the cap to the can, inturned tangs on the side wall of said over cap providing a window opening aligned with the ring, said ring having outturned lugs straddled by said tangs, and said lugs having abutment surfaces adapted to be engaged by an instrument inserted through said window for spreading the ring to unseat the ring from the shoulders thereby permitting the removal of the cap from the can.

4. A cover and lock assembly for an aerosol spray can having an annular end well and a valve cup providing a shoulder facing the can inside said well, which comprises an outer cap having a side wall adapted to seat in the can well, an inner cap secured in said outer cap and having a side wall in concentric spaced relation inside of the side wall of the outer cap, said side wall of the inner cap seatable on said valve cup and having an outturned lip therearound, a resilient split lock ring surrounding the inner cap having a first inturned flange seatable on said outturned lip of the inner cap and a second inturned flange seatable under said shoulder, said split ring having outturned lugs at the split ends thereof, a window in the side wall of said outer cap, inturned tangs at the sides of said window straddling said lugs of the split ring, and said lugs having beveled surfaces engageable with a tool inserted through said window to spread the lugs apart toward said tangs for unseating said flanges from the shoulder or the lip of the inner cap.

5. A cover and lock assembly which comprises spaced concentric inner and outer caps each having side walls, the

see

wall or" said inner cap adapted to frictionally engage the neck of a container, said side wall of the inner cap having an outturned lip at the open mouth thereof, said side wall of the outer cap having a window at a level aligned with the lip of the inner cap, a split resilient plastic ring surrounding said inner cap seated on said outturned lip thereof and having a flange for engaging a shoulder on the mouth of the container engaged by the inner cap, outturned lugs on the split ends of said plastic ring, one of said lugs having a slot therein, a tang on the side wall of the outer cap seated in said slot to hold the ring against rotation in the outer cap with the lugs exposed at the window, and means insertable through said Window for separating said lugs to spread the ring and unseat the ring from the lip of the inner cap.

6. A lock ring for attaching a cap to a container comprising a split resilient ring having an internal groove bounded by top and bottom flanges, said top flange having a downwardly beveled mouth converging from a large diameter top to a smaller diameter bottom for expanding the ring to receive a cap, said bottom flange having an upwardly beveled mouth converging from a large diameter bottom to a smaller diameter top for expanding the ring around a container, said top flange of the ring adapted to overlie and retain a portion of the cap, said bottom flange of the ring adapted to underlie and retain a portion of the container, means at the split ends of the ring adapted to be engaged by a prod to expand the ring flanges oif of the cap and container portions, and the resiliency of the ring being suflicient to return the ring to a locking position upon withdrawal of the prod. I

7. A container cap which comprises a cup-shaped member having a top wall and a side wall with an access hole through the side wall, a puncturable seal means closing said access hole, an inner thimble depending from said top of the cup inside of said side wall in spaced relation therefrom, locking means secured on said thimble including a resilient split ring having an inturned flange rejecting below and inside of said thimble to snap lock under the shoulder of a container to hold the cap on the container, said ring having lugs projecting from the split ends thereof to said hole in the side wall of the cup and providing opposed abutment faces adapted to be spread apart by a prod inserted through said hole for expanding the flange off of the container, means holding said lugs in alignment with said hole to maintain the abutment faces of the lugs in position for engagement by the prod, and said ring being resilient to return to a locking position after expansion by said implement.

8. A cap and lock assembly comprising a cap having a side wall with an outturned lip, a split resilient ring surrounding said side wall having a first inturned flange seated on said lip and a second inturned flange spaced beneath said side wall for engagement with a shoulder on a can, said first flange being downwardly beveled to converge from a large diameter top to a smaller diameter bottom, said second flange being upwardly beveled to converge from a large diameter bottom to a smaller diameter top, said beveled portions of said first and second flanges being effective to expand the ring over the cap lip and can shoulder for mounting the ring on the cap and can upon application of axial thrust loads to the first and second flanges, said ring having opposed lugs projecting from the split ends thereof, said lugs adapted to receive a prod type instrument therebetween for spreading the lugs apart to expand the ring off of the cap lip or the can shoulder, and said ring upon withdrawal of said instrument from between the lugs being sufiiciently resilient to snap back to a locking position.

9. A container and cap assembly including a container having an end wall with an inner small diameter rim portion providing a shoulder and an outer large diameter rim portion providing a well, a cup-shaped cap covering said end Wall of the container having a side Wall bottomed said well said cap having means inside said side wall providing a shoulder in opposed relation to the shoulder of the inner rim portion, said side Wall having an opening therethrough, a split resilient lock in said cap engaging said iner rim and cap shoulders to secure the cap to the container, lugs on the split ends of said lock projecting to said side wall of the cap, means on said side wall of the cap holding said lugs in alignment with the opening through the side wall of the cap, said lugs being engageable with a prod type implement pushed through said opening of the side wall of the cap to spread the lugs apart and expand the lock to effect removal of the cap from the container, and said lock being sufliciently resilient to return to locking position when the prod type implement is removed from engagement with the lugs.

10. A container cap which comprises a cup-shaped member adapted to overlie and close an end portion of a container, said member having a side wall with a hole therethrough giving access to the interior thereof, inturned abutments on said side wall straddling said hole, a resilient split lock ring mounted in the cap and having a lug portion engaging an abutment to align the split ends of the lock ring with the hole, a puncturable seal on said side wall of the cap covering said hole, said split ends of the lock ring being engageable with a probe inserted through said hole to expand the lock ring to an unlocking position for releasing the cap, and said lock ring being sufliciently resilient to return to a locking position when the probe is withdrawn from engagement with the split ends of the lock ring.

11. In combination with a can having an end head with a cylindrical skirt terminating in an annular shoulder facing toward the can and a cap for said end head fitting on said skirt and having an outtur-ned bead defining an annular shoulder facing away from the can,

the improvement of a split resilient collar having a first inturned flange sized to snugly embrace said cap and to overlie the annular shoulder of said cap and a second inturned flange wider than the first flange and axially spaced therefrom to underlie the annular shoulder of said can,

said collar having a groove between the flanges receiving said cap head,

said flanges cooperating to lock the cap to the can,

lugs projecting outwardly from said collar on opposite sides of the split portion thereof and engageable to expand the collar for unseating at least one of the flanges from at least one of the shoulders to permit removal of the cap from the can,

and rupturable seal means on said lugs holding the lugs against spreading apart movement suflicient to unseat the collar from a shoulder whereby said seal means must be broken to permit removal of the cap from the can.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 872,379 Schulz Dec. 3, 1907 1,062,532 Blair May 20, 1913 1,161,445 Bowers Nov. 23, 1915 1,176,828 Haddow Mar. 28, 1916 1,316,515 Smith Sept. 16, 1919 2,106,003 Hewitt Jan. 18, 1938 2,183,049 Shofner Dec. 12, 1939 2,215,076 Ashe Sept. 17, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 717,476 France Oct. 20, 1931 1,157,189 France Dec. 23, 1957 404,496 Great Britain Jan. 18, 1934 

